Systems and methods for providing secure server key operations

ABSTRACT

A key management interface that allows for different key protection schemes to be plugged into a digital rights management system is disclosed. The interface exposes the functionality of signing data, decrypting data encrypted using a public key, and re-encrypting data encrypted using the public key exported by the interface to a different authenticated principal (i.e., a different public key). Thus, a secure interface can be provided such that the data does not enter or leave the interface in the clear. Such an interface exports private key operations of signing and decryption, and provides security and authentication for the digital asset server in licensing and publishing. During publishing, a client can encrypt asset keys such that only a specified entity can decrypt it, using a plug-in, for example, that implements the aforementioned interface. During licensing, the license issuing entity can use the interface to decrypt keys for assets and to sign licenses and rights labels such that the asset is protected and consumable by a host digital rights management platform. The interface thus provides an abstraction for key operations.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The following U.S. patent applications disclose subject matter that is related to the subject matter of the present application, and each is hereby incorporated herein by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Atty Docket-MSFT-1343), filed (date), entitled “Systems And Methods For Issuing Usage Licenses For Digital Content And Services;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Atty Docket-MSFT-1333), filed (date), entitled “Using a Rights Template to Obtain a Signed Rights Label (SRL) for Digital Content in a Digital Rights Management System;” U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Atty Docket-MSFT-1330), filed (date), entitled “Obtaining a Signed Rights Label (SRL) for Digital Content and Obtaining a Digital License Corresponding to the Content Based on the SRL in a Digital Rights Management System.”

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This invention relates to key management systems. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for protecting private keys used to perform cryptographic operations in secure server systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Digital rights management and enforcement is highly desirable in connection with digital content such as digital audio, digital video, digital text, digital data, digital multimedia, etc., where such digital content is to be distributed to one or more users. Digital content could be static, such as a text document, for example, or it could be streamed, such as the streamed audio/video of a live event. Typical modes of distribution include tangible devices such as a magnetic (floppy) disk, a magnetic tape, an optical (compact) disk (CD), etc., and intangible media such as an electronic bulletin board, an electronic network, the Internet, etc. Upon being received by the user, such user renders or ‘plays’ the digital content with the aid of an appropriate rendering device such as a media player on a personal computer or the like.

[0004] In one scenario, a content owner or rights-owner such as an author, a publisher, a broadcaster, etc., wishes to distribute such digital content to each of many users or recipients in exchange for a license fee or some other consideration. In such scenario, then, the content may be a song, an album of songs, a movie, etc., and the purpose of the distribution is to generate the license fees. Such content owner, given the choice, would likely wish to restrict what the user can do with such distributed digital content. For example, the content owner would like to restrict the user from copying and re-distributing such content to a second user, at least in a manner that denies the content owner a license fee from such second user.

[0005] In addition, the content owner may wish to provide the user with the flexibility to purchase different types of use licenses at different license fees, while at the same time holding the user to the terms of whatever type of license is in fact purchased. For example, the content owner may wish to allow distributed digital content to be played only a limited number of times, only for a certain total time, only on a certain type of machine, only on a certain type of media player, only by a certain type of user, etc.

[0006] In another scenario, a content developer, such as an employee in an organization, wishes to distribute such digital content to one or more other employees in the organization or to other individuals outside the organization, but would like to keep others from rendering the content. Here, the distribution of the content is more akin to organization-based content sharing in a confidential or restricted manner, as opposed to broad-based distribution in exchange for a license fee or some other consideration. In such scenario, then, the content may be a document presentation, spreadsheet, database, email, or the like, such as may be exchanged within an office setting, and the content developer may wish to ensure that the content stays within the office setting and is not rendered by non-authorized individuals, such as for example competitors or adversaries. Again, such content developer wishes to restrict what a recipient can do with such distributed digital content. For example, the content owner would like to restrict the user from copying and re-distributing such content to a second user, at least in a manner that exposes the content outside the bounds of individuals who should be allowed to render the content.

[0007] In addition, the content developer may wish to provide various recipients with different levels of rendering rights. For example, the content developer may wish to allow protected digital content to be viewable and not printable with respect to one class of individual, and viewable and printable with respect to another class of individual.

[0008] However, and in either scenario, after distribution has occurred, such content owner/developer has very little if any control over the digital content. This is especially problematic in view of the fact that practically every personal computer includes the software and hardware necessary to make an exact digital copy of such digital content, and to download such exact digital copy to a write-able magnetic or optical disk, or to send such exact digital copy over a network such as the Internet to any destination.

[0009] Of course, as part of a transaction wherein the content is distributed, the content owner/developer may require the user/recipient of the digital content to promise not to re-distribute such digital content in an unwelcome manner. However, such a promise is easily made and easily broken. A content owner/developer may attempt to prevent such re-distribution through any of several known security devices, usually involving encryption and decryption. However, there is likely very little that prevents a mildly determined user from decrypting encrypted digital content, saving such digital content in an un-encrypted form, and then re-distributing same.

[0010] Additionally, in order for a third party DRM service to use an intermediate server that interoperates with a host DRM system, the service has to have a private key that is certified by the host. It is desirable to protect the private key used on such an intermediate server for a number of reasons. For example, the public key counterpart is signed by the host and provides an identity for the running service and enables the business for the running service. Also, the key signs and protects assets thereby endorsing and guaranteeing protection for assets hosted by the service.

[0011] Obtaining of the key hosted by the running service by an unauthorized person allows for distribution of potentially damaging and unauthorized assets by impersonating the service, unlimited access to protected assets distributed by the service, ability to redistribute documents that were protected by the service in an unprotected manner, damage to the value of protected assets, damage to the business pursued by the running service. Hence, there exists a need in the art for systems and methods for providing secure server key operations in a key management system. Such systems and methods would be particularly useful in a digital rights management system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The invention provides systems and methods for providing secure server key operations. According to the invention, an interface that allows different schemes to be plugged into an intermediate DRM server, exports private key operations of signing and decryption and provides security and authentication for the system in licensing and publishing. During publishing, a third party can encrypt asset keys such that only its server can decrypt it, using a plug-in that implements the aforementioned interface. During licensing, the system can use this interface to decrypt keys for assets and to sign licenses and rights labels such that the asset is protected and consumable by a host DRM platform. A component, or plug-in, written using this interface can secure the key in any way it chooses.

[0013] The intermediate server protects, signs, and distributes assets, or licenses to assets that allows protected and valuable content to be consumable by the host DRM platform. The server is designed to be flexible such that a hosting entity can operate its business based on costs that it wants to assume. For example, a small mom&pop shop may require very low operating and startup costs for the service in comparison to a large world wide on-line retailer or distribution service. In order for a service using a DAS according to the invention to interoperate with the host DRM system, the service has to have a private key that is certified by the host.

[0014] It is preferred that the private key used on such a server be protected. The invention enables an entity hosting the service to make a tradeoff between cost, security, and performance in protecting the key. The scheme used to protect the key is therefore flexible such that it allows the hosting service to customize the solution used to its needs. In addition, using this mechanism some schemes for securing the key have been designed that provide valuable low cost option to persons deploying such a system.

[0015] The invention provides an interface that allows for different key protection schemes to be plugged into the system. The interface exposes the following functionality: sign data passed in; decrypt data encrypted using a public key; re-encrypt data passed in that's encrypted using the public key exported by the interface to a different authenticated principal (i.e., a different public key). For this the data has to be decrypted first and then re-encrypted. This provides a secure interface such that the data never enters or leaves the interface in the clear.

[0016] Such an interface exports private key operations of signing and decryption, and provides security and authentication for licensing and publishing. During publishing, a client can encrypt asset keys such that only a specified server can decrypt it, using a plug-in, for example, that implements the aforementioned interface.

[0017] During licensing, this interface can be used to decrypt keys for assets and to sign licenses and rights labels such that the asset is protected and consumable by the host DRM platform. The interface thus provides an abstraction for key operations. A plug-in, written using this interface can secure the key in any of a number of ways.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0018] Other features of the invention are further apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

[0019]FIG. 1 is a block diagram representing an exemplary non-limiting computing environment in which the present invention may be implemented.

[0020]FIG. 2 is a block diagram representing an exemplary network environment having a variety of computing devices in which the present invention may be implemented.

[0021]FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention for publishing digital content.

[0022]FIG. 4 provides a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for publishing rights managed digital content.

[0023]FIG. 4A is a block diagram showing the structure of a signed rights label as produced by the method of FIG. 4.

[0024]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention for licensing rights managed digital content.

[0025]FIGS. 6A and 6B provide a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for licensing rights managed digital content.

[0026]FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing key steps performed in re-publishing a rights label in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027]FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a certificate issued by a DRM server to a user to allow the user to perform off-line publishing in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028]FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a rights template specifying information to be incorporated into a rights label in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0029]FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing key steps performed in creating the rights template of FIG. 9 and creating the signed rights label of FIG. 4A based on the rights template in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIGS. 11A-11D depict several preferred embodiments of aspects of the invention pertaining to storing private key material on a secure back-end server.

[0031]FIG. 12 is a functional flow of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention that includes separate certificate signing and content protection keys.

[0032]FIG. 13 is a functional flow of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention that includes a stateless rolling private key.

[0033]FIG. 14 provides a flowchart of a method according to the invention for providing an abstraction for key operations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Exemplary Computing Device

[0035]FIG. 1 and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief general description of a suitable computing environment in which the invention may be implemented. It should be understood, however, that handheld, portable, and other computing devices of all kinds are contemplated for use in connection with the present invention. While a general purpose computer is described below, this is but one example, and the present invention requires only a thin client having network server interoperability and interaction. Thus, the present invention may be implemented in an environment of networked hosted services in which very little or minimal client resources are implicated, e.g., a networked environment in which the client device serves merely as a browser or interface to the World Wide Web.

[0036] Although not required, the invention can be implemented via an application programming interface (API), for use by a developer, and/or included within the network browsing software which will be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by one or more computers, such as client workstations, servers, or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures and the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Typically, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations. Other well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers (PCs), automated teller machines, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium. In a distributed computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.

[0037]FIG. 1 thus illustrates an example of a suitable computing system environment 100 in which the invention may be implemented, although as made clear above, the computing system environment 100 is only one example of a suitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of the invention. Neither should the computing environment 100 be interpreted as having any dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of components illustrated in the exemplary operating environment 100.

[0038] With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary system for implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 110. Components of computer 110 may include, but are not limited to, a processing unit 120, a system memory 130, and a system bus 121 that couples various system components including the system memory to the processing unit 120. The system bus 121 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus (also known as Mezzanine bus).

[0039] Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can be accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared, and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0040] The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as read only memory (ROM) 131 and random access memory (RAM) 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137.

[0041] The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only, FIG. 1 illustrates a hard disk drive 141 that reads from or writes to non-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 151 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk 152, and an optical disk drive 155 that reads from or writes to a removable, nonvolatile optical disk 156, such as a CD ROM or other optical media. Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storage media that can be used in the exemplary operating environment include, but are not limited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digital versatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM, and the like. The hard disk drive 141 is typically connected to the system bus 121 through a non-removable memory interface such as interface 140, and magnetic disk drive 151 and optical disk drive 155 are typically connected to the system bus 121 by a removable memory interface, such as interface 150.

[0042] The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1 provide storage of computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 110. In FIG. 1, for example, hard disk drive 141 is illustrated as storing operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147. Note that these components can either be the same as or different from operating system 134, application programs 135, other program modules 136, and program data 137. Operating system 144, application programs 145, other program modules 146, and program data 147 are given different numbers here to illustrate that, at a minimum, they are different copies. A user may enter commands and information into the computer 110 through input devices such as a keyboard 162 and pointing device 161, commonly referred to as a mouse, trackball or touch pad. Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 120 through a user input interface 160 that is coupled to the system bus 121, but may be connected by other interface and bus structures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus (USB).

[0043] A monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190. A graphics interface 182, such as Northbridge, may also be connected to the system bus 121. Northbridge is a chipset that communicates with the CPU, or host processing unit 120, and assumes responsibility for accelerated graphics port (AGP) communications. One or more graphics processing units (GPUs) 184 may communicate with graphics interface 182. In this regard, GPUs 184 generally include on-chip memory storage, such as register storage and GPUs 184 communicate with a video memory 186. GPUs 184, however, are but one example of a coprocessor and thus a variety of coprocessing devices may be included in computer 110. A monitor 191 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 121 via an interface, such as a video interface 190, which may in turn communicate with video memory 186. In addition to monitor 191, computers may also include other peripheral output devices such as speakers 197 and printer 196, which may be connected through an output peripheral interface 195.

[0044] The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in FIG. 1. The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local area network (LAN) 171 and a wide area network (WAN) 173, but may also include other networks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

[0045] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation, FIG. 1 illustrates remote application programs 185 as residing on memory device 181. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

[0046] One of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that a computer 110 or other client device can be deployed as part of a computer network. In this regard, the present invention pertains to any computer system having any number of memory or storage units, and any number of applications and processes occurring across any number of storage units or volumes. The present invention may apply to an environment with server computers and client computers deployed in a network environment, having remote or local storage. The present invention may also apply to a standalone computing device, having programming language functionality, interpretation and execution capabilities.

[0047] Distributed computing facilitates sharing of computer resources and services by direct exchange between computing devices and systems. These resources and services include the exchange of information, cache storage, and disk storage for files. Distributed computing takes advantage of network connectivity, allowing clients to leverage their collective power to benefit the entire enterprise. In this regard, a variety of devices may have applications, objects or resources that may interact to implicate authentication techniques of the present invention for trusted graphics pipeline(s).

[0048]FIG. 2 provides a schematic diagram of an exemplary networked or distributed computing environment. The distributed computing environment comprises computing objects 10 a, 10 b, etc. and computing objects or devices 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, etc. These objects may comprise programs, methods, data stores, programmable logic, etc. The objects may comprise portions of the same or different devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3 players, televisions, personal computers, etc. Each object can communicate with another object by way of the communications network 14. This network may itself comprise other computing objects and computing devices that provide services to the system of FIG. 2. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, each object 10 or 110 may contain an application that might request the authentication techniques of the present invention for trusted graphics pipeline(s).

[0049] It can also be appreciated that an object, such as 110 c, may be hosted on another computing device 10 or 110. Thus, although the physical environment depicted may show the connected devices as computers, such illustration is merely exemplary and the physical environment may alternatively be depicted or described comprising various digital devices such as PDAs, televisions, MP3 players, etc., software objects such as interfaces, COM objects and the like.

[0050] There are a variety of systems, components, and network configurations that support distributed computing environments. For example, computing systems may be connected together by wireline or wireless systems, by local networks or widely distributed networks. Currently, many of the networks are coupled to the Internet, which provides the infrastructure for widely distributed computing and encompasses many different networks.

[0051] In home networking environments, there are at least four disparate network transport media that may each support a unique protocol such as Power line, data (both wireless and wired), voice (e.g., telephone) and entertainment media. Most home control devices such as light switches and appliances may use power line for connectivity. Data Services may enter the home as broadband (e.g., either DSL or Cable modem) and are accessible within the home using either wireless (e.g., HomeRF or 802.11b) or wired (e.g., Home PNA, Cat 5, even power line) connectivity. Voice traffic may enter the home either as wired (e.g., Cat 3) or wireless (e.g., cell phones) and may be distributed within the home using Cat 3 wiring. Entertainment media may enter the home either through satellite or cable and is typically distributed in the home using coaxial cable. IEEE 1394 and DVI are also emerging as digital interconnects for clusters of media devices. All of these network environments and others that may emerge as protocol standards may be interconnected to form an intranet that may be connected to the outside world by way of the Internet. In short, a variety of disparate sources exist for the storage and transmission of data, and consequently, moving forward, computing devices will require ways of protecting content at all portions of the data processing pipeline.

[0052] The Internet commonly refers to the collection of networks and gateways that utilize the TCP/IP suite of protocols, which are well-known in the art of computer networking. TCP/IP is an acronym for “Transport Control Protocol/Interface Program.” The Internet can be described as a system of geographically distributed remote computer networks interconnected by computers executing networking protocols that allow users to interact and share information over the networks. Because of such wide-spread information sharing, remote networks such as the Internet have thus far generally evolved into an open system for which developers can design software applications for performing specialized operations or services, essentially without restriction.

[0053] Thus, the network infrastructure enables a host of network topologies such as client/server, peer-to-peer, or hybrid architectures. The “client” is a member of a class or group that uses the services of another class or group to which it is not related. Thus, in computing, a client is a process, i.e., roughly a set of instructions or tasks, that requests a service provided by another program. The client process utilizes the requested service without having to “know” any working details about the other program or the service itself. In a client/server architecture, particularly a networked system, a client is usually a computer that accesses shared network resources provided by another computer e.g., a server. In the example of FIG. 2, computers 110 a, 110 b, etc. can be thought of as clients and computer 10 a, 10 b, etc. can be thought of as the server where server 10 a, 10 b, etc. maintains the data that is then replicated in the client computers 110 a, 110 b, etc.

[0054] A server is typically a remote computer system accessible over a remote network such as the Internet. The client process may be active in a first computer system, and the server process may be active in a second computer system, communicating with one another over a communications medium, thus providing distributed functionality and allowing multiple clients to take advantage of the information-gathering capabilities of the server.

[0055] Client and server communicate with one another utilizing the functionality provided by a protocol layer. For example, Hypertext-Transfer Protocol (HTTP) is a common protocol that is used in conjunction with the World Wide Web (WWW). Typically, a computer network address such as a Universal Resource Locator (URL) or an Internet Protocol (IP) address is used to identify the server or client computers to each other. The network address can be referred to as a Universal Resource Locator address. For example, communication can be provided over a communications medium. In particular, the client and server may be coupled to one another via TCP/IP connections for high-capacity communication.

[0056] Thus, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary networked or distributed environment, with a server in communication with client computers via a network/bus, in which the present invention may be employed. In more detail, a number of servers 10 a, 10 b, etc., are interconnected via a communications network/bus 14, which may be a LAN, WAN, intranet, the Internet, etc., with a number of client or remote computing devices 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 e, etc., such as a portable computer, handheld computer, thin client, networked appliance, or other device, such as a VCR, TV, oven, light, heater and the like in accordance with the present invention. It is thus contemplated that the present invention may apply to any computing device in connection with which it is desirable to process, store or render secure content from a trusted source.

[0057] In a network environment in which the communications network/bus 14 is the Internet, for example, the servers 10 can be Web servers with which the clients 110 a, 110 b, 110 c, 110 d, 110 c, etc. communicate via any of a number of known protocols such as HTTP. Servers 10 may also serve as clients 110, as may be characteristic of a distributed computing environment. Communications may be wired or wireless, where appropriate. Client devices 110 may or may not communicate via communications network/bus 14, and may have independent communications associated therewith. For example, in the case of a TV or VCR, there may or may not be a networked aspect to the control thereof. Each client computer 110 and server computer 10 may be equipped with various application program modules or objects 135 and with connections or access to various types of storage elements or objects, across which files may be stored or to which portion(s) of files may be downloaded or migrated. Thus, the present invention can be utilized in a computer network environment having client computers 110 a, 110 b, etc. that can access and interact with a computer network/bus 14 and server computers 10 a, 10 b, etc. that may interact with client computers 110 a, 110 b, etc. and other devices 111 and databases 20.

[0058] Publishing Digital Content

[0059]FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention for publishing digital content. “Publishing,” as that term is used herein, refers to a process that an application or service follows to establish with a trusted entity a set of rights and conditions that the entity can issue for that content, as well as to whom those rights and conditions can be issued. According to the invention, the publishing process includes encrypting the digital content and associating a list of persistent enforceable rights that the author of the content intended for all possible users of the content. This process can be carried out in a secure way to prohibit access to any of the rights or to the content unless intended by the author of the content.

[0060] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, three entities in particular can be employed to publish secure digital content: a content preparation application 302 that executes on the client 300 and prepares the content for publishing, a digital rights management (DRM) applications program interface (API) 306 that also resides on the client device 300, and a DRM server 320 that is communicatively coupled to the client 300 via a communication network 330. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the communication network 330 includes the Internet, though it should be understood that the communication network 330 could be any local or wide area network, such as a proprietary intranet, for example.

[0061] The content preparation application 302 can be any application that produces digital content. For example, the application 302 can be a word processor or other publisher that produces digital text files, digital music, video, or other such content. The content could also include streamed content, such as streamed audio/video of a live or taped event, or example. According to the invention, the content preparation application invites the user thereof to encrypt the content using a key that the user provides. The application 302 uses the key to encrypt the digital content, thus forming an encrypted digital content file 304. The client application also invites the user to provide rights data for the digital content file 304. The rights data includes a respective identity for each entity that has rights in the digital content. Such an entity can be, for example, an individual, a class of individuals, or a device. For each such entity, the rights data also includes a list of rights that that entity has in the content, and any conditions that may be imposed on any or all of those rights. Such rights can include the right to read, edit, copy, print, etc, the digital content. Additionally, rights can be inclusive or exclusive. Inclusive rights indicate that a specified user has a specified right in the content (e.g., the user can edit the digital content). Exclusive rights indicate that a specified user has all rights in the content except those specified (e.g., the user can do anything with the digital content except copy it).

[0062] According to one embodiment of the invention, the client API 306 can pass the encrypted digital content and the rights data to the DRM server 320. Using a process that is described in detail below, the DRM server 320 determines whether it can enforce the rights that the user has assigned and, if so, the DRM server 320 signs the rights data to form a signed rights label (SRL) 308. In general, however, any trusted entity can sign the rights data, preferably using a key trusted by the DRM server 320. For example, a client can sign the rights data using a key provided to it by the DRM server 320.

[0063] The rights label 308 can include data representing the rights description, the encrypted content key, and the digital signature over the rights description and the encrypted content key. If the DRM server is signing the right label, it passes the signed rights label 308 back to the client through the client API 306, which stores the signed rights label 308 on the client device 300. The content preparation application 302 then associates the signed rights label 308 with the encrypted digital content file 304. For example, the SRL 308 can be concatenated with the encrypted digital content file to form a rights managed content file 310. In general, however, the rights data need not be combined with the digital content. For example, the rights data could be stored in a known location, and a reference to the stored rights data could be combined with the encrypted digital content. The reference could include an identifier that indicates where the rights data is stored (e.g., the data store that contains the rights data), and an identifier that corresponds to that particular rights data at that particular storage location (e.g., that identifies the file that contains the particular rights data of interest). The rights managed content 310 can then be delivered to anyone anywhere, and only those entities that have rights to consume the content can consume the content, and only in accordance with the rights they were assigned.

[0064]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 400 according to the invention for publishing rights managed digital content, wherein the rights label is signed by a DRM server. It should be understood however, that this embodiment is merely exemplary, and that the rights label can be signed, in general, by any trusted entity. Generally, a method according to the invention for publishing digital content can include: encrypting the digital content using a content key (CK), generating a rights description associated with the digital content, encrypting the content key (CK) according to a public key for a DRM server (PU-DRM) to result in (PU-DRM(CK)), and creating a digital signature based on a private key (PR-DRM) corresponding to (PU-DRM) over the combination of the rights description and (PU-DRM(CK)).

[0065] At step 402, the application 302 generates a content key (CK) that is used to encrypt the digital content. Preferably, the content key (CK) is a symmetric key, though, in general, any key can be used to encrypt the digital content. Symmetric key algorithms, which are sometimes referred to as “secret key” algorithms, use the same key to decrypt a message as they do to encrypt the message. For that reason, it is preferred that (CK) be kept secret. Sharing (CK) between sender and receiver should be done very carefully to avoid unauthorized interception of such (CK). Because (CK) is shared between both the encryptor and the decryptor, (CK) is preferably communicated before any encrypted messages are transmitted.

[0066] Several symmetric key generation algorithms are well known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the Data Encryption Standard (DES) is employed, though it should be understood that any symmetric algorithm could be used. Examples of such symmetric key algorithms include, without limitation, Triple-DES, the International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA), Cast, Cast-128, RC4, RC5, and SkipJack.

[0067] At step 404, the application 302 encrypts the digital content with the symmetric content key (CK) to form encrypted digital content 304, which may be written using the notation (CK(content)). The author using the application 302 can also generate rights data associated with the digital content. The rights data can include a list of entities that will be entitled to consume the content, and the specific rights that each of the entities possesses with respect to the content, along with any conditions that may be imposed on those rights. Such rights can for example include viewing the content, printing the content, etc. The application 302 provides the rights data to the API 306. An example of rights data in XML/XrML format is attached hereto as Appendix 1.

[0068] At step 406, the API 306 generates a second encryption key (DES1), which is used to encrypt the content key (CK). Preferably, (DES1) is also a symmetric key. At step 408, the API 306 encrypts (CK) with (DES1) to result in (DES1(CK)). At step 410, the API 306 discards (CK), with the result being that (CK) can now be obtained only by decrypting (DES1(CK)). To ensure that (CK(content)) is protected to a central DRM server 320 and that all “license requests” for the content are done centrally in accordance with the rights data, the API 306, at step 412, contacts the provided DRM server 320 and retrieves the public key (PU-DRM) thereof. At step 414, the API 306 encrypts (DES1) with (PU-DRM) to result in (PU-DRM (DES1)). Thus, (CK) can be protected to (PU-DRM)) to ensure that the DRM server 320 is the only entity that will be able to get access to (CK), as is required to decrypt (CK(content)). At step 416, the API 306 encrypts the rights data (i.e., the list of authorized entities and the respective rights and conditions associated with each authorized entities in the list) with (DES1) to result in (DES1(rightsdata)).

[0069] In an alternative embodiment, (CK) can be used to directly encrypt the rights data to result in (CK(rightsdata)), and thereby forego the use of (DES1) completely. However, using (DES1) to encrypt the rights data allows such (DES1) to conform to any particular algorithm that might be amenable to the DRM server, whereas (CK) might be specified by an entity independent from the DRM server and might not be as amenable thereto.

[0070] At step 418, the content protection application 302 can submit (PU-DRM(DES1)) and (DES1(rightsdata)) to the DRM server 320 as a rights label for signing. Alternatively, the client itself can sign the rights data. If the rights data is being submitted to the server for signing, then, at step 420, the DRM server 320 accesses the rights data and verifies that it can enforce the rights and conditions in the submitted rights label. To verify that it can enforce the rights data, the DRM server 320 applies (PR-DRM) to (PU-DRM(DES1)) to result in (DES1), and then applies (DES1) to (DES1(rightsdata)) to result in the rights data in the clear. The server 320 can then do any policy checks to verify that the users, rights, and conditions specified in the rights data are within any policy enforced by the server 320. The server 320 signs the originally submitted rights label including (PU-DRM(DES1)) and (DES1(rightsdata)) to result in the signed rights label (SRL) 308, where the signature is based on the private key of the DRM server 320 (PR-DRM), and returns the SRL 308 back to the API 306, which then presents the returned SRL 308 to the client application 302.

[0071] The SRL 308 is a digitally signed document, which makes it tamper-resistant. Additionally, the SRL 308 is independent of the actual key type and algorithm used to encrypt the content but maintains the strong 1-1 relation to the content it is protecting. Referring now to FIG. 4A, in one embodiment of the present invention, the SRL 308 may include information on the content that is the basis of the SRL 308, including perhaps an ID of the content; information on the DRM server that signs the SRL 308, including (PU-DRM(DES1)) and referral information such as a URL for locating the DRM server on a network and fall-back information if the URL fails; information describing the SRL 308 itself; (DES1(rightsdata)): (DES1(CK)); and S (PR-DRM), among other things. A sample SRL 308 in XML/XrML is attached hereto as Appendix 2.

[0072] By ensuring that a trusted entity signs the rights data to create a signed rights label 308, the DRM server is asserting that it will issue licenses for the content in accordance with the terms set forth by the publisher as described in the rights data of the rights label 308. As should be appreciated, a user is required to obtain a license to render the content, especially inasmuch as the license contains the content key (CK). When a user wants to obtain a license for the encrypted content, the user can present a license request including the SRL 308 for the content and a certificate verifying the user's credentials to the DRM server 320 or other license issuing entity. The license issuing entity can then decrypt (PU-DRM(DES1)) and (DES1(rightsdata)) to produce the rights data, list all the rights granted by the author (if any) to the license requesting entity, and construct a license with only those specific rights.

[0073] Preferably, upon the application 302 receiving the SRL 308, such application 302 concatenates the signed rights label 308 with the corresponding (CK(content)) 304 to form rights managed digital content. Alternatively, the rights data can be stored in a known location, with a reference to that location provided with the encrypted digital content. Thus, a rendering application that is DRM-enabled can discover the signed rights label 308 via the piece of content the rendering application is attempting to render. This discovery triggers the rendering application to initiate a license request against the DRM licensing server 320. Publishing application 302 can store a URL to the DRM licensing server 320, for example, or the DRM licensing server 320 can embed its own URL as a piece of metadata into the rights label before digitally signing it, so that the DRM client API 306 called by the rendering application can identify the correct DRM licensing server 320. Preferably, a unique identifier, such as a globally unique identifier (GUID), for example, is put into the rights label before it is signed.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, simple object access protocol (SOAP) can be used for communication between the content protection application 302 or the rendering application and the DRM server 320. Additionally, API libraries, such as API 306, can be provided so that applications, such as application 302, are not required to implement the client side of the DRM protocol, but rather can just make local API calls. Preferably, XrML, an XML language, is used for describing rights descriptions, licenses, and rights labels for digital content, though it should be understood that any suitable format can be uses for the rights description and other data.

[0075] Obtaining a License for the Published Content

[0076]FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a system and method according to the invention for licensing rights managed digital content. “Licensing,” as that term is used herein, refers to a process that an application or service follows to request and receive a license that will enable an entity named in the license to consume the content in accordance with the terms specified in the license. Inputs to the licensing process can include the signed rights label (SRL) 308 associated with the content for which a license is being requested, and the public key certificate(s) of the entity(s) for which the license is being requested. Note that the entity requesting a license need not necessarily be the entity for which the license is being requested. Typically, a license includes the rights description from the SRL 308 an encrypted key that can decrypt the encrypted content, and a digital signature over the rights description and the encrypted key. The digital signature asserts that the entities and rights named are legitimate.

[0077] One way for the application 302 to consume the rights managed content 310 is for the client API 306 to forward the signed rights label 308 of the rights managed content 310 to the DRM server 320 via the communication network 330. The location of the DRM server 320 can be found, for example, in the referral information in the SRL 308. In such an embodiment, the DRM licensing server 320, via a process that is described in detail below, can use the rights description in the rights label to determine whether it can issue a license and, if so, to derive the rights description to include with the license. As described above, the rights label 308 contains the content key (CK) encrypted according to the public key of the DRM server 320 (PU-DRM) (i.e., (PU-DRM(CK))). In the process of issuing a license, the DRM server 320 securely decrypts this value to obtain (CK). It then uses the public key (PU-ENTITY) in the public key certificate that is passed up in the license request to re-encrypt (CK) (i.e., (PU-ENTITY(CK))). The newly encrypted (PU-ENTITY(CK)) is what the server 320 places into the license. Thus, the license can be returned to the caller without risk of exposing (CK), since only the holder of the associated private key (PR-ENTITY) can recover (CK) from (PU-ENTITY(CK)). The client API 306 then uses (CK) to decrypt the encrypted content to form decrypted digital content 312. The client application 302 can then use the decrypted digital content 312 according to the rights that are provided in the license.

[0078] Alternatively, a client, such as the publishing client, for example, can issue its own license to consume the content. In such an embodiment, a secured process can be run on the client computer that provides the client with the key(s) necessary to decrypt the digital content under appropriate circumstances.

[0079]FIGS. 6A and 6B provide a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method 600 according to the invention for licensing rights managed digital content. According to the invention, a requesting entity can submit a license request on behalf of one or more potential licensee. The requesting entity may or may not be one of the potential licensees. A potential licensee can be a person, a group, a device, or any other such entity that can consume the content in any fashion. The method 600 will now be described with reference to an embodiment wherein a DRM server processes the license request, though it should be understood that license request processing could also be performed on, and licenses issued directly by, the client.

[0080] At step 602, a license issuing entity, such as a DRM server, for example, receives a license request. Preferably, a license request includes either a public key certificate or an identity for each of one or more requested licensees. The SOAP protocol for a preferred embodiment of a license request is: <soap:Envelope xmlns:xsi=“http://www.w3.org/2001/ XMLSchema-instance” xmlns:xsd=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema” xmlns:soap=“http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/”> <soap:Body> <AcquireLicense xmlns= “http://xxxx.com/PublishingService”> <RequestParams> <AcquireLicenseParams> <LicenseeCerts> <String>string</String> <String>string</String> </LicenseeCerts> <RightsSpecification>string</ RightsSpecification> <RightsOfferID>string</RightsOfferID> <ApplicationData>string</ApplicationData> </AcquireLicenseParams> <AcquireLicenseParams> ... </AcquireLicenseParams> </RequestParams> </AcquireLicense> </soap:Body> </soap:Envelope>

[0081] At step 604, the requesting entity (i.e., the entity making the license request) is authenticated. According to one embodiment of the invention, the license issuing entity can be configured to use protocol (e.g., challenge-response) authentication to determine the identity of the requesting entity, or it can be configured to not require authentication of the requesting entity (also known as “allowing anonymous authentication”). Where authentication is required, any type of authentication scheme may be used (e.g., the challenge-response scheme mentioned above, a user-id-and-password scheme such as MICROSOFT.NET, PASSPORT, WINDOWS authorization, x509, etc.). Preferably, anonymous authentication is allowed, as well as supporting any protocol authentication scheme supported by integrated information systems. The result of the authentication step will be an identity, such as an “anonymous” identity (for anonymous authentication), or a personal account identity, for example. If the license request cannot be authenticated for any reason, an error is returned and no license is granted.

[0082] At step 606, the authenticated entity is authorized—i.e., it is determined whether the entity authenticated at step 608 is allowed to request a license (either for itself or on behalf of another entity). Preferably, the license issuing entity stores a list of entities that are allowed (or not allowed) to request a license. In a preferred embodiment, an identity in this list of identities is the identity of the entity making the request, rather then the identity of the entity for whom a license is being requested, though it could be either. For example, a personal account identity may not be allowed to directly make a license request, but a trusted server process may make a license request on behalf of such an entity.

[0083] According to the invention, the license request can include either a public key certificate or an identity for each potential licensee. If a license is requested for only one licensee, only one certificate or identity is named. If a license is requested for a plurality of licensees, a certificate or an identity can be named for each potential licensee.

[0084] Preferably, the license issuing entity has a public key certificate for each valid licensee. However, an application 302 may want to generate a license for a given user, but the application 302 might not have access to the public key certificate for that user. In such a situation, the application 302 can specify the identity of the user in the license request and, as a result, the license issuing entity can invoke a registered certificate plug-in module that performs a lookup in a directory service and returns the appropriate user's public key certificate.

[0085] If, at step 608, the issuing entity determines that the public key certificate is not included in the license request, then the issuing entity uses the specified identity to perform a lookup in a directory service or database for the appropriate public key certificate. If, at step 610, the issuing entity determines that the certificate is in the directory, then, at step 612, the certificate is retrieved. In a preferred embodiment, a certificate plug-in is used to retrieve public key certificates from a directory service over by way of a directory access protocol. If a certificate cannot be found for a given potential licensee, either in the request or in the directory, then the license server does not generate a license for that potential licensee and, at step 614, an error is returned to the requesting entity.

[0086] Assuming the license issuing entity has a public key certificate for at least one potential licensee, then, at step 616, the issuing entity validates the trust of the licensee certificates. Preferably, the issuing entity is configured with a set of trusted certificate issuer certificates, and it determines whether the issuer of the licensee certificate is in the list of trusted issuers. If, at step 616, the issuing entity determines that the issuer of the licensee certificate is not in the list of trusted issuers, then the request fails for that licensee, and an error is generated at step 614. Thus, any potential licensee whose certificate is not issued by a trusted issuer would not receive a license.

[0087] Additionally, the issuing entity preferably performs digital signature validation on all entities in the certificate chain going from the trusted issuer certificates to the individual licensee public key certificates. The process of validating the digital signatures in a chain is a well-known algorithm. If the public key certificate for a given potential licensee does not validate, or a certificate in the chain does not validate, the potential licensee is not trusted, and a license, therefore, is not issued to that potential licensee. Otherwise, at step 618, a license can issue. The process repeats at step 620 until all entities for which a license has been requested have been processed.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 6B, the license issuing entity proceeds to validate the signed rights label 308 that is received in the license request. In a preferred embodiment, the issuing entity can use a rights label plug-in, and a back-end database to store on the server a master copy of every rights label signed by the issuing entity. The rights labels are identified by the GUID placed into them at publication. At license time (at step 622), the issuing entity parses the rights label input in the license request and retrieves its GUID. It then passes this GUID to the rights label plug-in, which issues a query against the database to retrieve a copy of the master rights label. The master rights label could be more up to date than the copy of the rights label sent in the license request, and it will be the rights label used in the request in the steps below. If no rights label is found in the database based upon the GUID, the issuing entity checks its policy, at step 624, to determine whether it is still allowed to issue a license based on the rights label in the request. If the policy does not allow this, the license request will fail at step 626, and an error will be returned to the API 306 at step 628.

[0089] At step 630, the license issuing entity validates the rights label 308. The digital signature on the rights label is validated and, if the license issuing entity is not the issuer of the rights label (the entity that signed it), then the license issuing entity determines whether the issuer of the rights label is another trusted entity (e.g., an entity with which the license issuing entity is enabled to share key material). If the rights label does not validate, or it is not issued by a trusted entity, then the license request fails at step 626, and an error will be returned to the API 306 at step 628.

[0090] After all the validations have occurred, the license issuing entity translates the rights label 308 into a license for each of the approved licensees. At step 632, the license issuing entity generates a respective rights description for the license to be issued to each licensee. For each licensee, the issuing entity evaluates the identity named in the public key certificate of that licensee against the identities named in the rights description in the rights label. The rights description assigns to every right or set of rights, a set of identities that can exercise that right or set of rights in a license. For every right or set of rights to which this licensee's identity is associated, that right or set of rights is copied into a new data structure for the license. The resulting data structure is the rights description in the license for the particular licensee. As part of this process, the license issuing entity evaluates any preconditions that might be associated with any of the rights or sets of rights in the rights description of the rights label. For example, a right may have a time precondition associated with it that limits the license issuing entity from issuing a license after a specified time. In this case the issuing entity would need to check the current time and, if it is past the time specified in the precondition, then the issuing entity would not be able to issue that right to the licensee even if that licensee's identity were associated with that right.

[0091] At step 636, the issuing entity takes (PU-DRM(DES1)) and (DES1(CK)) from the rights label 308 and applies (PR-DRM) to obtain (CK). The issuing entity then re-encrypts (CK) using (PU-ENTITY) the licensee's public key certificate to result in (PU-ENTITY(CK)). At step 638, the issuing entity concatenates the generated rights description with (PU-ENTITY(CK)) and digitally signs the resulting data structure using (PR-DRM). This signed data structure is the license for this particular licensee.

[0092] When, at step 640, the issuing entity determines that there are no more licenses to generate for the particular request, it will have generated zero or more licenses. The generated licenses are returned to the requesting entity, at step 642, along with the certificate chain associated with those licenses (e.g., the server's own public key certificate as well as the certificate that issued its certificate and so on).

[0093] The SOAP protocol for a preferred embodiment of a license response is as follows: <soap:Envelope xmlns:xsi=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema- instance” xmlns:xsd=“http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema” xmlns:soap=“http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/”> <soap:Body> <AcquireLicenseResponse xmlns=“http://xxxx.com/ LicensingService”> <AcquireLicenseResult> <AcquireLicenseResponse> <CertificateChain> <String>string</String> <String>string</String> </CertificateChain> </AcquireLicenseResponse> <AcquireLicenseResponse> ... </AcquireLicenseResponse> ... </AcquireLicenseResult> </AcquireLicenseResponse> <soap:Body> </soap:Envelope>

[0094] In a preferred embodiment of a system according to the invention, a plurality of licensor keys can be used. In such an embodiment, the content key (CK) that travels encrypted through the rights label 308 and into the license can actually be any arbitrary data. One particularly useful variation is to use a plurality of separate, encrypted, content keys (CK) associated, respectively, with different rights or different principals in the rights description. For example, the digital version of songs on an album could all be encrypted with different keys (CK). These keys (CK) would be included in the same rights label, but one principal may have the right to play one of the songs (e.g., he might only have rights to get the one key in his license), while a second principal might have rights to play all the songs (she would have rights to get all keys in her license).

[0095] Preferably, a system according to the invention enables publishing applications/users to name groups or classes of licensees in a rights label 308. In such an embodiment, the license issuing entity will evaluate any groups/classes named in the rights label to determine if the current licensee identity is a member of those groups classes. If membership in a named group/class is found, the issuing entity could add the rights or set of rights associated with the group/class to the rights description data structure used for the license.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the publish and license protocol interfaces in the DRM server support authentication and authorization of the calling application or user, and the administrative console for the DRM server allows an administrator to generate an access control list for both the licensing and publishing interfaces. This enables the customer of the server to apply policy over which users/applications are allowed to either publish, license, or both.

[0097] Modifying or Republishing the Signed Rights Label 308

[0098] In one embodiment of the present invention, the SRL 308 can be “republished” if the user of the content has been granted sufficient permission to do so. That is, if allowed, the user may alter rights data within the SRL 308. Notably, such permission to alter the rights data should be granted sparingly and judiciously, especially inasmuch as a user with permission to alter the rights data can essentially grant itself broad rights with regard to the associated content. Conceivably, such a user could even grant itself the right to expose the content and forward same to the world.

[0099] Here, permission to alter is signified by including within the rights data in the SRL 308 an indication that a particular user or class of users can in fact alter or ‘republish’ the rights data and rights label 308. When the DRM server 320 receives such an SRL 308 with such permission in connection with a request for a license, the DRM server 320 includes within the requested license for the user the symmetric key (DES1) encrypted according to the public key of the user (i.e., PU-ENTITY) to result in (PU-ENTITY(DES1)).

[0100] Thus, to edit the rights data within the SRL 308, and turning now to FIG. 7, the user retrieves (PU-ENTITY(DES1)) from the license (step 701), applies (PR-ENTITY) thereto to result in (DES1) (step 703), retrieves (DES1(rightsdata)) from the SRL 308 (step 705), and applies (DES1) thereto to result in the rights data (step 707). Thereafter, the user alters the rights data as desired (step 709), and submits the altered rights data to the DRM server 320 in the manner set forth in connection with FIG. 4 to obtain a signed rights label 308 (step 711). Of course, here, the signed rights label 308 is actually a republished SRL 308, and accordingly once the SRL 308 is received (step 713), the user strips off the original SRL 308 concatenated to the associated content (step 715) and then concatenates the republished SRL 308 to such content (step 717).

[0101] Thus, and as may be appreciated, republishing an SRL 308 enables a user to update the rights data in the SRL 308, including rights, conditions, and users, without having to alter the associated content. In particular, republishing does not require re-encrypting the associated content with a new (CK). Also, republishing does not require generating a new SRL from scratch, especially inasmuch as the original SRL 308 has many items therein that can be copied to the new SRL 308.

[0102] Self-Publishing the Signed Rights Label 308

[0103] In one embodiment of the present invention, the SRL 308 may be signed by the requesting user itself. Accordingly, the user need not contact the DRM server 320 to obtain an SRL 308 for an associated piece of content. As a result, self-publishing may also be referred to as off-line publishing. In such embodiment, a user may be required to contact a DRM server 320 to request a license based on such a self-published SRL 308. It should also be understood that a publishing entity may be enabled to issue its own licenses.

[0104] In particular, and referring now to FIG. 8, in the embodiment, a user is first provisioned to self-publish by receiving from a DRM server 320 a DRM certificate 810 including a public key (PU-CERT) and a corresponding private key (PR-CERT) encrypted according to the public key of the user (PU-ENTITY) to result in (PU-ENTITY(PR-CERT)). The certificate should be signed by the private key of the DRM server 320 (PR-DRM) so that such DRM server 320 can verify same, as will be discussed in more detail below. As may be appreciated, the DRM certificate 810 authorizes the user to self-publish. As may also be appreciated, the key pair (PU-CERT, PR-CERT) are separate from (PU-ENTITY, PR-ENTITY), and are employed specifically for self-publishing. Note that the key pair (PU-CERT, PR-CERT) may be dispensed with, in which case the DRM certificate 810 includes only the public key of the user (PU-ENTITY) and is signed by the private key of the DRM server 320 (PR-DRM) so that such DRM server 320 can verify same.

[0105] Self-publishing differs from publishing as shown in FIG. 4 in that the user essentially takes the place of the DRM server 320 with regard to steps performed thereby. Significantly, the user signs the submitted rights label including (PU-DRM(DES1)) and (DES1(rightsdata)) with (PR-CERT) as obtained from the DRM certificate 810 (i.e., S (PR-CERT)) to result in the signed rights label (SRL) 308. As should be appreciated, the user obtains (PR-CERT) from the DRM certificate 810 by obtaining (PU-ENTITY(PR-CERT)) from such DRM certificate 810 and applying (PR-ENTITY) thereto. Note, though, that the user cannot verify that the DRM server 320 can enforce the rights in the submitted rights label, especially inasmuch as the user does not have (PR-DRM) to apply to (PU-DRM(DES1)). Accordingly, the DRM server 320 itself should perform the verification at the time a license is requested based on the self-published SRL 308.

[0106] Once the user self-publishes the SRL 308, the user concatenates such self-published SRL 308 and the DRM certificate 810 employed to produce same to the content, and such content with SRL 308 and DRM certificate 810 is distributed to another user. Thereafter, the other user requests and obtains a license for the content from the DRM server 320 in substantially the same manner as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. Here, though, the license-requesting user submits to the DRM server 320 both the self-published SRL 308 and the DRM certificate 810 as concatenated to the content. The DRM server 320 then verifies S (PR-DRM) in the DRM certificate 810 based on the corresponding (PU-DRM), and obtains (PU-CERT) from the DRM certificate 810. The DRM server 320 then verifies S (PR-CERT) in the SRL 308 based on the obtained (PU-CERT), and continues as before. Note, though, that since the user did not verify that the DRM server 320 can enforce the rights in the SRL 308, and as was set forth above, the DRM server 320 itself should perform the verification at this time.

[0107] Rights Template

[0108] As set forth above, a user is provided with the freedom to create most any variety or sort of rights data in a rights label by defining users or classes of users, defining rights for each defined user or class of users, and then defining any use conditions. However, and significantly, it may be cumbersome and repetitive to repeatedly define the rights data for multiple rights labels, especially when the same users or classes of users, rights, and conditions are repeatedly defined for different pieces of content. Such a situation can for example occur in a corporate or office environment, where a user is repeatedly publishing different pieces of content that are to be shared with a particular defined team of users. In such a situation, then, and in one embodiment of the present invention, a rights template is created that the user can repeatedly employ in connection with creating rights labels, where the rights template already includes therein a pre-defined set of users or classes of users, pre-defined rights for each defined user or class of users, and pre-defined use conditions.

[0109] In one embodiment of the present invention, and turning now to FIG. 9, a rights template 900 has substantially the same rights data as would be in a rights label. However, since (DES1) is not known until content is published, the rights data cannot be encrypted according to such (DES1), as is the case in a rights label. In one embodiment of the present invention, then, the rights template 900 with the unencrypted rights data is submitted in the course of encrypting the rights data with (DES1) at step 416 of FIG. 4 to produce (DES1(rightsdata)). Of course, the rights data is retrieved from the submitted rights template 900 prior to being so encrypted.

[0110] It may or may not be the case that the DRM server 320 and the public key (PU-DRM) thereof are known at the time the rights template is constructed. Further, even if known, it may or may not be the case that there are more than one DRM servers 320, each having its own (PU-DRM). Nevertheless, in the case where the DRM server 320 and the public key (PU-DRM) thereof are known at the time the rights template is constructed, and in the case where only one DRM server 320 is employed, or only one DRM server 320 is to be employed in connection with the rights template 900, such rights template may also include therein information on the DRM server that is to sign a rights label resulting from the rights template 900, including the public key (PU-DRM) thereof. Although such (PU-DRM) appears in the SRL 308 as encrypting (DES1) to result in (PU-DRM(DES1)), it is again to be appreciated that (DES1) is not known until content is published, and therefore (PU-DRM) in the rights template 900 cannot encrypt such (DES1), as is the case in a rights label. In one embodiment of the present invention, then, the rights template 900 with the unencrypted (PU-DRM) is submitted in the course of encrypting (DES1) with (PU-DRM) at step 414 of FIG. 4 to produce (PU-DRM(DES1)). Of course, (PU-DRM) is retrieved from the submitted rights template 900 prior to being employed.

[0111] Also in the aforementioned case, other information on the DRM server that may be included in the rights template may also include referral information such as a URL for locating the DRM server on a network, and fall-back information if the URL fails. In any case, the rights template may also include information describing the rights template 900 itself, among other things. Note that the rights template 900 may also provide space for information relevant to the content that is to be published, such as information that appears in a rights label relevant to the content and/or the encrypting keys (CK) and (DES1), although such space is not necessary if an instantiation of the rights template is not actually transformed into a right label.

[0112] Although the rights template 900 as thus far disclosed is primarily for the convenience of a user, it is also to be appreciated that in some circumstances, a user should not have unrestricted freedom to define rights data in a rights label, and a rights template 900 may be used to limit the scope or type of rights labels that can be created. For example, and especially in the case of a corporate or office environment, it may be pre-defined as policy that a particular user should always publish content to a particular class of users only, or that the user should never publish content to a particular class of user. In any case, and in one embodiment of the present invention, such policy is embodied as pre-defined rights data in one or more rights templates 900, and the user may be restricted to employing such rights templates to create rights labels when publishing content. Notably, a rights template or a group of rights templates made available to a user to specify publishing policy for the user may specify any particular type of publishing policy without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0113] To specify a rights template 900 for a restricted user or the like, and turning now to FIG. 10, an administrator or the like in fact constructs the rights template 900 by defining the pre-defined rights data (step 1001), and defining any other data that may be necessary and appropriate, such as information relevant to a particular DRM server 320 (step 1003). Significantly, to effectuate the rights template for use by the restricted user or the like, the rights template 900 must be made official. That is, the rights template 900 must be recognizable as a rights template that the restricted user or the like may employ., Accordingly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rights template as constructed by the administrator or the like is submitted to the DRM server 320 for signing thereby, where such signing makes the rights template official (step 1005).

[0114] Note that the signing DRM server 320 is the DRM server 320 whose information is in the rights template 900, if indeed such information is in fact present in the rights template 900. Note, also, that the DRM server 320 may sign the rights template 900 only upon making any necessary checks, or may sign without any checks at all. Note, finally, that the template signature S (PR-DRM-T) (where the -T signifies that the signature is for the ORT 900) from the DRM server should be based at least on the pre-defined rights data in the rights template 900, but may also be based on other information without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. As set forth below, the signature S (PR-DRM-T) will be incorporated into a rights label and will be verified in connection therewith, and accordingly whatever the signature is based on should also be incorporated into the rights label in an unaltered form.

[0115] Upon the DRM server 320 signing the rights template 900 and returning same to the administrator or the like, the administrator receives the signed and now official rights template 900 with S (PR-DRM-T) (step 1007) and forwards the official rights template (ORT) 900 to one or more users for use thereby (step 1009). Accordingly, for a user to publish content based on an ORT 900, the user retrieves the ORT 900 (step 1011), and constructs a rights label based on the ORT 900 (step 1013) by providing any information necessary, such as information on the content, appropriate key information, the rights data from the ORT 900 encrypted by (DES1) to result in (DES1(rightsdata)), and any other information from the ORT 900. Significantly, the user also includes with the rights label the signature S (PR-DRM-T) from the ORT 900.

[0116] Thereafter, and as before, the user submits the rights label to the DRM server 320 for signing (step 1015). Here, though, the DRM server 320 will not sign the submitted rights label unless S (PR-DRM-T) therein verifies. That is, the DRM server 320 enforces that the user must base the submitted rights label on an ORT 900 by refusing to sign the submitted rights label unless such submitted rights label includes a signature S (PR-DRM-T) from an ORT 900. In particular, the DRM server 320 retrieves such S (PR-DRM-T) and whatever information such signature is based on from the submitted rights label and then verifies such signature based on (PU-DRM). Note that the rights data in the submitted rights label is encrypted according to (DES1) (i.e., (DES1(rightsdata)) Accordingly the DRM server 320 must first obtain (DES1) and decrypt (DES1(rightsdata)) therewith, as set forth above in connection with FIG. 7 to be able to verify the signature based on the rights data in the submitted rights label.

[0117] Once verified, the DRM server 320 signs the submitted rights label with S (PR-DRM-L) to produce an SRL 308, as before (where the -L signifies that the signature is for the SRL 308). Here, S (PR-DRM-L) may replace S (PR-DRM-T), or may be in addition to such S (PR-DRM-T). If in addition, S (PR-DRM-L) may be based in part on S (PR-DRM-T). Note that (PR-DRM) may be employed to produce both S (PR-DRM-T) and S (PR-DRM-L), or that different (PR-DRM)s may be employed for each of S (PR-DRM-T) and S (PR-DRM-L). Upon the DRM server 320 signing the rights label and returning the SRL 308 to the user, the user receives the SRL 308 with S (PR-DRM-L) (step 1017) and proceeds to concatenate same to the content being published, as before.

[0118] If the signature S (PR-DRM-T) of the ORT 900 is based at least in part on the pre-defined rights data in the ORT 900, then such rights data as it appears in the SRL 308 (in DES1(rightsdata)) cannot be modified or varied. Otherwise, S (PR-DRM-T) will not verify. Nevertheless, in one embodiment of the present invention, the rights data in the ORT 900 can vary within prescribed rules that are also included with the ORT 900. For example, the rules may specify one of two sets of rights data to be included in an SRL 308, or may allow a selection from among a set of alternatives. As may be appreciated, the rules may be any particular rules set forth in any appropriate syntax without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Here, the rules are interpreted by an appropriate rule interpreter for the user at the time the rights label is created. Although the rights data may vary, the rules do not likewise vary, and accordingly the template signature S (PR-DRM-T) for the ORT 900 is based at least in part on the rules and not on the rights data itself. As a result, the rules included with the ORT 900 must also be included with the SRL 308.

[0119] In one embodiment of the present invention, the pre-defined rights data in the ORT 900 is fixed and invariant in part and is variable and rule-driven in part, as set forth above. Here, the template signature S (PR-DRM-T) for the ORT 900 is based at least in part on the fixed part of the rules and on the rules for the variable part of the rights data.

[0120] As may be appreciated, an ORT 900 as possessed by a user may become dated or stale. That is, the ORT 900 through the rights data therein may reflect policy that has become out-of-date, irrelevant, or simply not applicable anymore. For example, one or more users or classes of users specified in the rights data of the ORT 900 may no longer exist within the policy environment, or a particular user or class of users specified in the rights data of the ORT 900 may no longer have the same rights within the policy environment. In such case, it may be that the administrator has issued a revised ORT 900 but that the user is still using a previous, stale version of the ORT 900.

[0121] In such a situation, then, and in one embodiment of the present invention, the DRM server 320 upon signing a submitted rights template 900 to create an ORT 900 retains a copy of the ORT 900, each ORT 900 has a unique identifying indicia, and each rights label constructed based on an ORT 900 includes the identifying indicia of such ORT 900 therein. Accordingly, upon receiving a submitted rights label such as in connection with FIG. 10, the DRM server 320 finds the identifying indicia of the ORT 900 in the rights label, retrieves the most up-to-date copy of such ORT 900 based on the found identifying indicia, removes the rights data from the submitted rights label, inserts the rights data from the retrieved ORT 900, and then signs the rights label based at least in part on the inserted rights data. Of course, the DRM server also performs any necessary encryption and decryption steps necessary and incumbent in the process as set forth, including decrypting and re-encrypting (DES1(rightsdata)). Note that if the DRM server is adapted to replace the rights data in a submitted rights label, such rights label and the ORT 900 from which such rights label is constructed need not necessarily include the rights data therein. Instead, the rights data need only be resident at the DRM server 320. However, including the rights data with the rights label and the ORT 900 from which such rights label is constructed could be useful for the user, and therefore may be useful in some situations.

[0122] Abstraction for Key Operations

[0123] A digital rights management system according to the invention can include a key management interface that allows for different key protection schemes to be plugged into the digital rights management system. Such an interface can expose the functionality of signing data, decrypting data encrypted using a public key, and re-encrypting data encrypted using the public key exported by the interface to a different authenticated principal (i.e., a different public key). Thus, a secure interface can be provided such that the data does not enter or leave the interface in the clear. Such an interface can export private key operations of signing and decryption, and provide security and authentication for the DRM system in licensing and publishing. During publishing, a client can encrypt asset keys such that only a specified entity can decrypt it, using a plug-in, for example, that implements the aforementioned interface. During licensing, the license issuing entity can use the interface to decrypt keys for assets and to sign licenses and rights labels such that the asset is protected and consumable by a host digital rights management platform. The interface thus provides an abstraction for key operations.

[0124]FIG. 14 provides a flowchart of a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for providing abstraction for secure key operations in a digital rights management system. At step 1402, a key management interface is provided for use in connection with the digital rights management system. As described above, the key management interface abstracts operations, such as cryptographic operations, that include the use of key material, such as a private key from a public-private key pair, for example. Preferably, the abstraction allows for external identification of the key material during retrieval of the key material or other material that relies on the use of the key (such as a certificate, for example). That is, the key management interface provides a mechanism via which an external caller can identify the key material to be used to perform the operation.

[0125] At step 1404, a plurality of key management components are provided for use in the digital rights management system. Each of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a respective method for managing the key material. For example, the methods described below in connection with FIGS. 11A-D, 12, and 13 can be implemented as respective key management components. Preferably, the key management components are implemented as plug-in components.

[0126] The user of the DRM system can then select from among the available options to tailor the user's system according to the user's needs. Such a system enables a user to select the selected key management component from the plurality of key management components based on considerations of cost, security, and performance in protecting the key material.

[0127] At step 1406, the selected key management component is integrated into the digital rights management system via the key management interface. Thus, a user can be provided with a DRM system that includes key management capability that the user has selected as being most appropriate for the user's installation. Furthermore, a plug-in design allows for the selected key management approach to be changed in and out quickly, easily, and inexpensively.

[0128] The following is a detailed description of each of several preferred key protection schemes that can be used in connection with an abstraction for key operations according to the invention.

[0129] Protecting the Private Key by Moving it Off of front End Servers

[0130] Typically, as depicted in FIG. 11A, the cryptography operations 1114, which can include functions such as signing and decrypting data, take place on a server pool 1110 that includes one or more front-end servers 110 a-c. The crypto operations 1114 involve the use of a private key 1116, which is typically stored in a database 1112 on a database server 1113. The private key 1116 is generated as part of a public-private key pair that is used in connection with performing a cryptographic operation 1114. To perform a crypto operation 1114, the front-end server 1110 retrieves the private key 1116 from the database 1112.

[0131] Though it is possible to try to protect the private key 1116 on the front-end server pool 1110, moving the private key off of the front-end server pool 1110 is preferred, as such a solution makes it more difficult for possible attackers who try to hack into the front-end servers 1110 to steal or otherwise compromise the private key.

[0132] Generally, an aspect of the invention provides for storing the key and performing related cryptography operations on a back-end server pool that is external to the front-end server. Preferably, the back-end server pool comprises one or more back-end servers that are coupled to the front-end server pool (and to each other) via a local area network, for example. Thus, the front-end server pool can be made accessible via a global communications network such as the Internet, the back-end server pool can be made inaccessible directly from the Internet. Such a configuration makes it more difficult for a hacker to steal or otherwise compromise the private key and the related crypto functionality, thereby improving the overall security of the system relative to a system wherein the crypto operations are performed on the front-end server.

[0133]FIG. 11B depicts a preferred embodiment wherein the back-end server 1121 includes a database server 1122. The crypto operations 1124 are performed as part of an extended stored procedure on the database server 1122, which is external to the front-end server pool 1120. To perform a crypto operation 1124 that calls for use of the private key, the front-end server 1120 initiates a stored procedure call 1127 to the database server 1122 via a LAN 1126. The stored procedure causes the crypto operation 1124 to be performed on the database server 722. Consequently, the private key 1126 does not have to leave the database 1128, and the key 1126 and stored procedure can be as secure as the database itself. As the database 1128 is typically not on a front-end server 1120 anyway, this is a cost-effective way of moving the private key off of the front-end 1120.

[0134] Using a similar approach, which is depicted in FIGS. 11C and 11D, an intermediate service or server is introduced to perform the crypto operations using the private key. Preferably, such a service or server is external to the front-end server pool, and sits on a private back-end LAN that is inaccessible via the Internet.

[0135]FIG. 11C depicts a preferred embodiment wherein the back-end server 1131 includes an external crypto server/service 1136 that is coupled between the server pool 1130 and the database server 1132. To perform any of the crypto operations 1134, the front-end server 1130 initiates a call to the external crypto server 1139. The external crypto server 1139 can be communicatively coupled to each of the front-end server 1130 and the database server 1132 via a local communications network 1137, such as a LAN. The external crypto server 1139 calls out to a stored procedure resident on the database server 1132. The stored procedure causes the crypto operation 1134 to be performed on the database server 1132. Thus, as with the embodiment described above in connection with FIG. 7B, all crypto operations 1134 involving the private key 1136 could be performed on the database server 1132. Consequently, the private key 1136 would not have to leave the database 1138.

[0136]FIG. 11D depicts another preferred embodiment wherein the back-end server 1141 includes an external crypto server/service 1149 that is coupled between the server pool 1140 and the database server 1142. As shown in FIG. 11D, the crypto operations 1144 can be performed by the external crypto server/service 1149. To perform any of the crypto operations 1144, the front-end server 1140 initiates a call to the external crypto server 1149. The external crypto server 1149 retrieves the private key 1146 from the database 1148, and uses the private key 1146 to perform the crypto operation 1144 inside the external crypto server 1149. Consequently, the private key 1146 could be stored on the crypto server 1149, and kept as part of the crypto service provided thereon. It should be understood that such an approach is particularly advantageous because of its scalability. At some point, as more front-end servers are added to the server pool 1140 to handle greater loads, the crypto operations 1144 may become a bottleneck. Because database servers are typically more costly to deploy and maintain, it is preferred that more external crypto services/servers are deployed rather than database servers.

[0137] It should be understood that other embodiments of an external crypto service/server (i.e., wherein the crypto operations happen on an external server/service on the back-end LAN) are also possible, and that the use of a database is preferred, but not necessary.

[0138] Protecting the Private Key by Separating the Certificate Signing Private Key from the Content Protection Private Key

[0139] As described in detail above, a DRM server according to the invention uses a private key portion of a public/private key pair for at least two different operations: signing licenses such that the host DRM platform can authenticate content and other certificates for tamper-proof usage and authentication, and decrypting content symmetric keys that are used to protect digital content. The same public/private key pair can be used for both operations.

[0140] According to an aspect of the invention, however, two separate private keys can be used—a certificate signing private key and a content protection private key. It should be understood that, though the risk of having the certificate signing private key resident on a front-end server may be deemed acceptable, the risk of having the content protection private key resident on a front end server is far less acceptable. This is because other safeguards can be put into license issuance to prevent a third party from generating its own licenses. One example of such a technique is that encrypted data that matches some unencrypted data that is verified by the DRM system can be inserted in the license. By separating the two private keys, more functionality may remain resident on the front-end server and the system can scale more cost effectively.

[0141] As shown in FIG. 12, a DRM system 1230 can have a root or “content protection” public/private key pair, which can be used to decrypt content symmetric keys that are used to protect digital content. The content protection public key can be published via a public certificate 1236 signed by an ultimate “root of trust” 1235 (e.g., Microsoft vault key). The content protection private key can be maintained in a highly secure area 1234, which can be an extended security back-end server, for example.

[0142] According to this aspect of the invention, a front-end server 1232 in the DRM system 1230 can generate, at runtime, a separate public/private key pair to be used for certificate signing. The extended security back-end server 1234 can use its knowledge of the root private key to sign a certificate 1237 indicating that this new public key is trusted.

[0143] The front-end servers 1232 can use the separately generated certificate signing private key to perform all signature signing. When returning a document 1238, a certificate chain including the certificate signing public key and the root public key can be returned to the client 1210. The client 1210 can “walk up” the certificate chain to establish its trust in the returned document. The DRM system 1230 can regenerate the signing public/private key pair whenever it wishes, without needing to coordinate with the client 1210.

[0144] Protecting the Private Key by Using a Stateless Rolling Private Key

[0145]FIG. 13 is a functional flow diagram that illustrates an embodiment of the invention wherein the private key is protected through the use of a stateless rolling private key. The DRM Server uses a root (i.e., master) private key (S_(root)) and a root licensor certificate (L_(root)) 1310 containing a root public key (P_(root)) that is issued by the host. Periodically (e.g., once a day, once per 100 transactions, etc.) a new “rolling” pair of keys (S_(i), P_(i)) 1320 is generated by a secure back-end server 1308 and provided to a front-end server 1304 along with a licensor certificate (L_(i)) 1312. The current rolling private key can be stored on the front-end server in a cache 1316. The metric for the window of rolling the key can be defined as needed. The more frequently a key is produced, the more security can be obtained. In order to create a stateless solution, L_(i) 1312 contains S_(i) encrypted with P_(root). The concept of separating keys, as described above in connection with FIG. 12, can also be used to provide a more robust and secure solution.

[0146] According to this aspect of the invention, when a request to obtain a licensor certificate is issued to the DRM server, the current licensor certificate L_(i) 1312 is returned. A DRM enabled client application 1314 executing on the client 1302 encrypts the content key to P_(i) obtained from L_(i) before uploading the rights label to the server for publishing. When the rights label is created on the server, the content key is decrypted using S_(i) and then re-inserted in the rights label after encrypting using P_(j), the current rolling key. When signing a rights label for publishing, the current rolling private key (S_(j)) is used to sign the rights label. The signed rights label 1322, L_(root) 1310, and L_(j) 1312 are returned to the caller. On being invoked to produce a license 1318 for the content, the content key is re-encrypted to the supplied user persona key to tie the content to the requesting user.

[0147] Note that all the critical operations use the aforementioned interface for private key operations to secure the operations and the key. The servers that do private key operations maintain a small LRU cache of rolling private keys for faster lookups. This is because otherwise each key server will have to ask the secure backend to decrypt S_(i) for each request and if the secure backend is a remote database, performance degrades. If this server is compromised, only cache contents are exposed to the hacker. Ultimately, the size of the cache can be relatively small, to minimize the impact. This is a classic example of a tradeoff between security and performance.

[0148] If the probability of the hacker attack is γ, then in the case where there is no rolling key and the root key is used for all operations, the chance of compromising the all content is γ, because hacker gets the private key for all content. In case of using the rolling key, the chance of compromising all content is γ·(p+t)/N ), where p is the cache size, t is the number of working threads on a private key box, and N is the number of private keys in the table. It is also possible to load-balance servers that host the key operations to handle certain subsets of keys to localize cache coherency and prevent thrashing on the cache.

CONCLUSION

[0149] Thus, there have been described systems and methods for providing secure server key operations that are particularly suitable for use in a digital rights management system. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous changes and modifications can be made to the preferred embodiments of the invention, and that such changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, that the appended claims cover all such equivalent variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A method for providing abstraction for secure key operations in a digital rights management system, the method comprising: providing, in a digital rights management system, a key management interface that abstracts operations that include the use of key material; providing a plurality of key management components for use in the digital rights management system, wherein each of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a respective method for managing the key material, and integrating a selected key management component into the digital rights management system via the key management interface.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the key management components is a plug-in component.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the key material includes a private key.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the key management interface allows for external identification of the key material.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected key management component is selected from the plurality of key management components based on considerations of cost, security, and performance in protecting the key material.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a method comprising: generating a public-private key pair for use in connection with performing a cryptographic operation, wherein the public-private key pair includes a private key; storing the private key on a front-end server; and performing the cryptographic operation on the front-end server, using the private key.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a method comprising: generating a public-private key pair for use in connection with performing a cryptographic operation, wherein the public-private key pair includes a private key; storing the private key on a back-end server that is coupled to a front-end server via a local communications network; and performing the cryptographic operation on the back-end server, using the private key, in response to a request from the front-end server to perform the cryptographic operation.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a method comprising: generating, on a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network, a certificate signing public-private key pair for use in connection with signing a certificate, wherein the certificate signing public-private key pair includes a certificate signing public key and a certificate signing private key; generating a content protection public-private key pair for use in connection with encrypting or decrypting a piece of digital content, wherein the content protection public-private key pair includes a content protection public key and a content protection private key; storing the content protection private key on a back-end server that is coupled to the front-end server via a local communications network; and providing to a client application, a certificate chain that includes the certificate signing public key and the content protection public key.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the key management components enables the digital rights management system to perform a method comprising: generating a root public-private key pair that includes a root private key and a root public key; issuing a root licensor certificate that contains the root public key; periodically generating a current rolling public-private key pair that includes a current rolling public key and a current rolling private key; and receiving a request from a client application to perform a digital rights management operation; and performing the digital rights management operation using the current rolling public-private key pair.
 10. A method for providing secure key operations, the method comprising: providing a plurality of key management plug-in components for use in a digital rights management system, wherein each of the key management plug-in components enables the digital rights management system to perform a respective method for managing key material; selecting a selected key management plug-in from the plurality of key management plug-ins; and integrating the selected key management plug-in into the digital rights management system.
 11. A method for providing secure server key operations in a system comprising a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network and a back-end server that is coupled to the front-end server via a local communications network, the method comprising: generating a public-private key pair for use in connection with performing a cryptographic operation, wherein the public-private key pair includes a private key; storing the private key on the back-end server; and performing the cryptographic operation on the back-end server, using the private key, in response to a request from the front-end server to perform the cryptographic operation.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the back-end server includes a database server that contains a database, and wherein: storing the private key comprises storing the private key in the database.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises performing the cryptographic operation on the database server.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises calling, from the front-end server, a stored procedure that causes the cryptographic operation to be performed on the database server.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein the back-end server includes a crypto server that is communicatively coupled to the database server and to the front-end server, and wherein: performing the cryptographic operation comprises initiating, from the crypto server, a stored procedure that causes the cryptographic operation to be performed on the database server.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises passing, from the front-end server to the crypto server, a request that causes the crypto server to initiate the stored procedure.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises passing the private key from the database server to the crypto server.
 18. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises signing data.
 19. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises encrypting data.
 20. The method of claim 11, wherein performing the cryptographic operation comprises decrypting encrypted data.
 21. A system for providing secure server key operations for rights management of digital content, the system comprising: a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network; and a back-end server that is coupled to the front-end server via a local communications network, wherein a public-private key pair is generated for use in connection with performing a cryptographic operation, the public-private key pair including a private key, and wherein the private key is stored on the back-end server and used on the back-end server to perform the cryptographic operation in response to a request from the front-end server to perform the cryptographic operation.
 22. The system of claim 21, wherein the back-end server includes a database server that contains a database in which the private key is stored.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the cryptographic operation is performed on the database server.
 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the front-end server is adapted to call a stored procedure that causes the cryptographic operation to be performed on the database server.
 25. The system of claim 22, wherein the back-end server includes a crypto server that is communicatively coupled to the database server and to the front-end server, and wherein the crypto server is adapted to initiate a stored procedure that causes the cryptographic operation to be performed on the database server.
 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the front-end server is adapted to pass to the crypto server, a request that causes the crypto server to initiate the stored procedure.
 27. The system of claim 25, wherein the crypto server retrieves the private key from the database server.
 28. The system of claim 21, wherein the cryptographic operation comprises signing data.
 29. The method of claim 21, wherein the cryptographic operation comprises encrypting data.
 30. The method of claim 21, wherein the cryptographic operation comprises decrypting encrypted data.
 31. A method for providing secure server key operations in a system comprising a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network and a back-end server that is coupled to the front-end server via a local communications network, the method comprising: generating, on the front-end server, a certificate signing public-private key pair for use in connection with signing a certificate, wherein the certificate signing public-private key pair includes a certificate signing public key and a certificate signing private key; generating a content protection public-private key pair for use in connection with encrypting or decrypting a piece of digital content, wherein the content protection public-private key pair includes a content protection public key and a content protection private key; storing the content protection private key on the back-end server; and providing to a client application, a certificate chain that includes the certificate signing public key and the content protection public key.
 32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: signing a certificate using the certificate signing private key; and providing the signed certificate to the client application.
 33. The method of claim 31, further comprising: receiving a request for a signing licensor certificate; and providing, in response to the request, a licensor certificate signed using certificate signing private key.
 34. The method of claim 31, wherein the certificate chain enables the client application to encrypt the piece of digital content to the content protection public key.
 35. The method of claim 31, wherein the certificate chain enables the client application to decrypt an encrypted piece of digital content that has been encrypted to the content protection public key.
 36. The method of claim 31, wherein the certificate chain enables the client application to encrypt a content protection symmetric key to the content protection public key.
 37. The method of claim 31, wherein the certificate chain enables the client application to decrypt an encrypted content protection symmetric key that has been encrypted to the content protection public key.
 38. A method for providing secure server key operations in a system comprising a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network and a back-end server that is coupled to the front-end server via a local communications network, the method comprising: generating a content protection public-private key pair for use in connection with encrypting or decrypting a content symmetric key used to protect a piece of digital content, wherein the content protection public-private key pair includes a content protection public key and a content protection private key; storing the content protection private key on the back-end server; generating, on the front-end server, a certificate signing public-private key pair, wherein the certificate signing public-private key pair includes a certificate signing public key and a certificate signing private key; and publishing the content protection public key via a root licensor certificate that is signed using the certificate signing private key.
 39. The method of claim 38, wherein the root licensor certificate is signed by a trusted entity.
 40. The method of claim 38, further comprising: publishing the certificate signing public key via a signing licensor certificate.
 41. The method of claim 38, wherein the signing licensor certificate is signed, on the back-end server, using a digital signature that is based on the content protection private key.
 42. A method for providing secure server key operations in a digital rights management system, the method comprising: generating a root public-private key pair that includes a root private key and a root public key; issuing a root licensor certificate that contains the root public key; periodically generating a current rolling public-private key pair that includes a current rolling public key and a current rolling private key; receiving a request from a client application to perform a digital rights management operation; and performing the digital rights management operation using the current rolling public-private key pair.
 43. The method of claim 42, wherein the current rolling public-private key is generated on a back-end server that is coupled via a local communications network to a front-end server that is accessible via a global communications network.
 44. The method of claim 42, wherein the request to perform the digital rights management operation is a request for a signed rights label, and wherein performing the digital rights management operation comprises signing a rights label using the current rolling private key, wherein the rights label includes rights data that represents a set of parameters for licensing a piece of digital content and, for each of one or more authorized users, a respective set of one or more rights that the authorized user has in the digital content.
 45. The method of claim 44, wherein the received rights label includes an encrypted content key that was encrypted to the current rolling public key.
 46. The method of claim 44, further comprising: providing the signed rights label to a client application.
 47. The method of claim 42, wherein the request to perform the digital rights management operation is a request for a licensor certificate, and wherein performing the digital rights management operation comprises providing to a client application a current licensor certificate enables the client application to encrypt a content key to the current rolling public key, wherein the content key is used to encrypt or decrypt a piece of digital content.
 48. The method of claim 42, wherein the request to perform the digital rights management operation is a request for a license to use a piece of digital content, and wherein performing the digital rights management operation comprises using the current rolling private key to determine whether to issue a license to use to piece of digital content.
 49. The method of claim 48, further comprising: issuing a license to use the piece of digital content.
 50. The method of claim 49, further comprising: re-encrypting a content key to a user-supplied persona key that ties the piece of digital content to a user requesting the license.
 51. The method of claim 42, further comprising: storing the rolling private key in a cache on the front-end server. 